Hi Andy and Owen ,
Where are you 15/5 Armonians, how did you get on, tell us all about it.

Well, l got to admit Meeeeyyyy, that was a reportand a half, What a difference a week makes as the song goes, had l notknown l would have said you had sailed on a different ship with a different line, my experience in general was different, and yes l know l havent posted a review!! yet. Do rather feel its a case of is you glass half full or half empty, on the 9th May, our glasses were definately half full and, possibly because we gelled so quickly onboard and because l think of the fun nature of our group we were hell bent on having a ball and like everyone on our trip l feel we had a great time, yes lm quite sure we all had our pet niggles,but we all did have a great time (well l did anyway) and as a frequent past passnger of "the worlds best loved ship " l was of course comparing things, as some of you had noticed. Even on that ship lv seen people hell bent on complaining about everything, from the colour of the carpet, to the shade of the atlantic honest !!! (not that lm saying you were hell bent on complaining)
The comment about the food, l find most interesting, never saw any recycled food, working in the hotel trade l know thats just food poisoning just waiting to happen.
Personally and l never thought l would say it, but l would definately sail again with Melody, the staff couldnt do enough to help and l walked down the gangway with wow what a cruise and yes would like to return, though l think it will take a hell of a lot to beat this whole experience, and certainly due to the fact our all our gang onboard were quite simply superb!!!!!
The fact that it was a £10 cruise really doesnt affect this, Rise paid considerably more than this for us, the only thing lm convinced at is alitalia, but even that we all found time to have a joke about!!
Just one more thing about the fruit bowl, l actually added fruit to it, the poor man didnt know what to do , (that for the record is something we didnt get on QE2 a fruit bowl )
Sarlet, enjoyed the pics!!!!! tried to post some earlier today, quite where lm going wrong is anbodys guess

I'm sorry you were unhappy with your cruise Fay, but I'm absolutely certain that I shall enjoy my time on the Melody. We all have certain expectations when we travel and perhaps yours are very high, whereas I'm inclined to go with the flow. I must admit I was amused at your complaint about the lack of a face flannel - I always take my own, and if the hotel provides one that is a bonus. If I forget to pack it I buy one at the first opportunity.

Regarding taxi fares in Tunis, if you had looked at the Tunisia forum you would have seen advice to agree a price first, after a bit of haggling, or to ensure the meter was switched on.

I may be wrong but I get the impression that having cruised before you were always comparing the Melody with other ships which you had found more to your taste. I'm truly looking forward to my cruise - I've always found waiters and staff friendly and problems with language are par for the course - why do the British, who are notoriously bad at languages, always expect everyone to speak fluent English.

Quite agree Aslemma, As a scotsman on an Italian shipping line, with a mixture of passengers and mulitnational crew, l think l coped very well with the language barrier, as for the night we had cock au vin soup, l gave it a miss,
The classic one was when a barman couldnt understand what was being said, the passenger merely increased her voice!!! Brits abroad, lm sure behind closed doors the staff had a chuckle at us

Hi There.

Oh dear, seem to be having problems getting the photos to the correct destination, haven't got time now but will try tomorrow, subject to my obstinate PC co-operating.

Definitely a case of " Must try harder"

Scarlet: liked your pics and so sharp.

Tony

Loved the pics! - especially glad to see the high heels (sorry Myles, I am referring to the ladies!) despite the advice not to wear them!

Personally I don't care whether I have one or two waste bins and I could manage even if I didn't have one at all!

I am just very appreciative of the fact that I am travelling to places I have never been to in comfortable surroundings (I don't expect luxury) and all for £10!

Less than 2 weeks to go - tickets should arrive soon.......can't wait!

Hi everybody
All that i can say is that i was on the same cruise as Fay and at times we all felt that Fay was on a different cruise and planet than us and with all the booze flowing we probably were. All the HT members and non HT cruisers whom i met on this cruise and became friends with had a great time and was entertained one way or another.

My God Fay I hope you feel better after your rant!! I think everybody looks forward to the reviews of the cruise and yes if you did not enjoy it and found flaws its interesting to hear but as has been said you went way over the top. I and many others have never been on a cruise before and after last weeks great postings about The Melody am really looking forward to it regardless of your comments. For £10 I will be really laid back about everything and enjoy the weather, seeing lovely places and just savour the experience and remember life is what you make it! If you see fault in everything which came over loud and clear. well what can I say.

Found the pics, scarlet. You all seem to have had fun. Is Myles the one with the DJ and tartan trousers (sorry trews)?

As Myles said you do not get fruit on the QE2 and you only get fizzy wine if you are a club member. One of my stewards on that ship spoke very poor English but it did not matter. It's all part of the fun. The only time I had a problem was when my cabin had a leak and water was pouring from the air conditioning after a storm. I find the best thing to do is not make a fuss and just report it.

I am looking forward to my trip next week after the reports from Scarlet and Buster. I seem to be the only one going from HT which is a pity as I should like to think I would meet fellow members.

Maureen H

MEH,
I don't think you will be on your own! Derek has posted that he met other DEers! Our travel agent has said that a lot have been booked on to Melody. There have been other DEers on every MSC cruise so far
I am sure you will have a whale of a time. Only six sleeps to go - WOW!

Maureen

I'm sure you'll have a great time - the others seem to have all met up with other DE cruisers as well as HT members and it seems as if MSC do try and arrange seating so people are together. Also you will have the opportunity to meet some of them at the 'singles' get-together.

Alli

Have just joined this thread... I cant quite work out the £10 cruise????

HI LD,
We all saved tokens from the Express for a £10 cruise during May and June last year. Hope that helps!

Oops, the tokens were during May and June 2004 for cruises from Sept 2004 to May 2004. Our first cruiser sailed in February 2005 and the sailing period has been extended to 2006!

Hi Willfie

I am on the same cruise as you on the 20th June but I am flying from Manchester. I have put a message on the Melody roll call as this is probably a better way of getting in touch.

Avril

Just logged on and caught up on this thread.....................phew!!!!

Any crew with a negative attitude will not stand a chance on our 04.07.05 cruise because our combined sense of humour/fun will sweep them off their feet!

Wherever you go take the sunshine with you, I say..........and if you can`t take a joke, don`t sign-on!!

Fay................don`t ever, ever book on a camping holiday or you`ll blow a gasket!!

Fay,
It seems as if you had already decided you were going to find fault with your cruise before you went. I cruised on the MSC Opera the ship was fab. the crew were excellent, and the food was superb, I would cruise with MSC again and be more than happy to pay the full price.
PS I did'nt count the waste bins in my cabin I was to busy enjoying myself.
Tony R

good evening everyone,
I have been catching up and have enjoyed reading the different reviews of melody its great to har of the goodtime you have had.i am still waiting with bated breath to hear how the captain etc went to the cabin!!!!!!oh for it to have happened to me!!!!!
I found it was really nice to meet other h.ts and D.ofE,s.
I cannot believe meeeeyyy was on the same ships.or that someone could be so completely negative the one good thing appeared to be theperson who did the fruit and veg carving!!!!!!!
It seems strange that the good company of fellow £10 cruisers didnt rate a mention.I hope that the melody people yet to travelwill put her comments where they belong!!!!!!!!
We have all fought hard for this holiday and as far as ican see most people have goneto have a good time some new experiences,meet new people and get the most out of the offer,as some one quoted our glasses were half full to start fays was half empty.what a shame she missed out on a lot of fun i should think.!!!!!!
I have had a tooth out today.cant have a drink so i have an empty glass!!!!
carol

Certainly Smokey, have a large one on me!